A crew member on a rowing boat attacked by an aggressive sea-lion in Otago says the mammal appeared to head-butt their boat.
Eight people were on the boat, which was damaged and took on water.
Matt Smail says he regularly sees sea-lions while rowing and the attack came as a surprise.
He says he heard a tap, followed by a crunch, and then water gushed into the boat.
To avoid sinking, Mr Smail says, the crew had to row quickly to the nearest boat ramp, a kilometre away - followed all the way by the sea-lion.
